View source for Launch of HMS Albion (partially found footage of battleship launch and subsequent disaster; 1898)

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{{InfoboxLost 
|title=<center>Launch of HMS Albion</center> 
|image=Launchofhmsalbion1.jpg
|imagecaption=Image from EP Prestwich's film showing HMS Albion entering the River Thames.
|status=EP Prestwich and Robert W. Paul's films - <span style="color:green;">'''Found'''</span> / Birt Acres and Philipp Wolff's films - <span style="color:red;">'''Lost'''
}}
On 21st June 1898, '''battleship HMS Albion was launched at Blackwall in the River Thames'''. While the ship departed safely, she inadvertently triggered a major disaster when a wave she produced caused a nearby gangway to collapse, resulting in over 30 people drowning. The launch was filmed by pioneers EP Prestwich and Robert W. Paul, who distributed their productions. However, it is also known that Birt Acres recorded footage with two cameras, but elected not to publicly release his work following the disaster. German company Philipp Wolff is also confirmed to have filmed the launch and subsequent disaster.

==Background==
HMS Albion was a Royal Navy pre-dreadnaught battleship, and the fifth vessel designated with that name.<ref name="royalnavy">[https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/september/15/20210915-albion-tragedy ''Royal Navy'' summarising HMS Albion's name and purpose, and the disaster.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="wartime">[https://wartimememoriesproject.com/greatwar/ships/view.php?pid=1351 ''Wartime Memories'' summarising HMS Albion, the missions she was involved in, and her eventual scrapping.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="operations">[https://archive.org/details/navaloperations04corb/mode/2up? ''Naval Operations'' detailing the campaigns HMS Albion was linked to.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref> Laid down by the Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company on 3rd December 1896, she would not be fully commissioned until June 1901.<ref name="wartime"/> She was one of six new battleships that were initially tasked to defend the China Station, located within the Pacific lands controlled by the British Empire.<ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="wartime"/><ref name="operations"/> After performing this role for her first few years, she would later see plenty of action during the First World War.<ref name="wartime"/><ref name="operations"/> 

After protecting cruiser squadrons in the Atlantic from potential German attacks, her main role was during the Dardanelles campaign.<ref name="wartime"/><ref name="operations"/> The Dardanelles campaign was integral to the Gallipoli campaign, which aimed to conquer the Ottoman straits.<ref name="dardanelles">[https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/a-short-history-of-the-dardanelles-campaign ''Imperial War Museum'' summarising the Dardanelles campaign.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="gallipoli">[https://www.iwm.org.uk/history/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-gallipoli-campaign ''Imperial War Museum'' summarising the Gallipoli campaign.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="operations"/> If successful, the bombardment of Constantinople could commence, theoretically leading to defeating Turkey and subsequently knock the Ottoman Empire out of the War.<ref name="gallipoli"/><ref name="dardanelles"/><ref name="operations"/> It could have also led to boosting Russia's war effort, undermine Germany's, secure Middle Eastern oil, and convince Greece and Bulgaria to join the Allies.<ref name="dardanelles"/><ref name="gallipoli"/> The Dardanelles campaign saw HMS Albion and other Royal Navy, French Navy, and Imperial Russian Navy ships attempt to muscle through the Dardanelles, including via bombardment.<ref name="wartime"/><ref name="dardanelles"/><ref name="operations"/> Occurring from 19th February to 18th March 1915, the campaign was decisively won by the Ottoman Empire, as its defences, especially its naval mines, inflicted heavy losses on the Allies.<ref name="dardanelles"/><ref name="operations"/> HMS Albion also suffered extensive damage from Ottoman artillery, but survived the failed campaign.<ref name="wartime"/><ref name="operations"/> This proved to be her main campaign, as after participating in a blockade within the Bulgarian and Greek coasts, she was relegated back to being a guard ship.<ref name="wartime"/> After the War, she was decommissioned in August 1919, and scrapped on 6th January 1920.<ref name="wartime"/>

==Prelude to Launch==
By June 1898, enough construction work had been completed for HMS Albion's official launch.<ref name="mcgonagall">[https://www.mcgonagall-online.org.uk/gems/the-albion-battleship-calamity ''McGonagall Online'' providing a detailed overview of the disaster, and a poem about said disaster from Sir William Topaz McGonagall.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="londonist">[https://londonist.com/london/history/london-s-forgotten-disasters-gigantic-wave-kills-35 ''Londonist'' noting the disaster was one of the worst in the Thames' history.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="wartime"/> This launch would be historic in London as she was then the largest warship to ever be launched on the River Thames, with her also becoming the first Thames Ironworks and Shipbuilding Company-constructed Royal Navy battleship for more than ten years.<ref name="salt">[https://www.oldsaltblog.com/2021/12/tragic-launching-of-hms-albion-1898-caught-on-film/ ''Old Salt Blog'' detailing the historic nature of the launch, summarising the disaster, and the two available films of the event.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="londonist"/> To commemorate the occasion, Mary of Teck, the Duchess of York and wife of future King George V, was to christen the ship.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> Around 30,000 attended to witness the occasion; the occasion was seen as a holiday for many workmen and their wives.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> Also among them were plenty of London schoolchildren who also received time off for this very event.<ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> 

A major ship launch was considered a viable prospect for the fledgling filmmaking industry.<ref name="origins">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/Robert_Paul_and_the_Origins_of_British_C/Lii7DwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA132&printsec=frontcover ''Robert Paul and the Origins of British Cinema'' detailing the four filmmakers present at the event, Paul's motivations for filming it, and the controversy he faced.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="optilogue">[https://theoptilogue.wordpress.com/2020/12/26/robert-w-paul-films-and-technology-part-three-pauls-own-films/ ''The Optilogue'' summarising the controversy of Paul's film.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="beginnings">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Beginnings_Of_The_Cinema_In_England/kcxRDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA24&printsec=frontcover ''The Beginnings of The Cinema in England'' summarising the preservation of Prestwich's film and Acre's status as the official filmmaker for the event, and noting Acres' has disappeared.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="bfi">[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/film/id/1405383/index.html ''British Film Institute'' summarising Prestwich and Paul's surviving films, and noting Acres' is lost.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref> No fewer than four film pioneers were on-hand to capture the event: Prestwich Manufacturing Company's E.P. Prestwich;<ref>[https://www.victorian-cinema.net/prestwich ''Who's Who of Victorian Cinema'' page on the Prestwich family.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="origins"/> German company Philipp Wolff;<ref>[https://www.victorian-cinema.net/wolff.php ''Who's Who of Victorian Cinema'' page on Philipp Wolff.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="catalogue">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_British_Film_Catalogue/9yCwDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PT112&printsec=frontcover ''The British Film Catalogue'' listing the films from Philipp Wolff, Paul, and Acres.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="origins"/> Robert W. Paul for his Paul's Animatograph Works;<ref name="paul">[https://www.victorian-cinema.net/paul ''Who's Who of Victorian Cinema'' page on Robert W. Paul.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="origins"/><ref name="catalogue"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="salt"/> and Birt Acres as intended for The Northern Photographic Works.<ref name="acres">[https://www.victorian-cinema.net/acres ''Who's Who of Victorian Cinema'' page on Birt Acres.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="catalogue"/><ref name="origins"/><ref name="optilogue"/> Paul and Acres had previously entered a short-lived partnership from 1894 to 1895, producing thirteen films together.<ref>[https://silentera.com/PSFL/data/O/OxfordAndCambridgeUniv1896.html ''Silent Era'' noting Acres and Paul produced thirteen films together before their split.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="rivals">[http://www.screenonline.org.uk/people/id/449777/index.html ''British Film Institute'' summarising Acres and Paul's rivalry and Acres' criticism of the latter's film.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="acres"/><ref name="paul"/><ref name="origins"/> But by 1898, they had long transitioned into a bitter rivalry, the pair frequently attacking each other in the photographic press.<ref name="rivals"/><ref name="acres"/><ref name="paul"/><ref name="origins"/> Likely considering his specialism in actuality films, Acres was selected by Thames Ironworks as their official filmmaker.<ref name="letters">[https://www.google.co.uk/books/edition/The_Beginnings_Of_The_Cinema_In_England/kcxRDwAAQBAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA20&printsec=frontcover ''The Beginnings of Cinema in England'' quoting the letters from Acres and Paul, as well as quotes from ''The Photogram'' and ''Amateur Photographer''.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="origins"/><ref name="acres"/> Therefore, he was able to place two cameras that were ideally positioned to capture the christening and subsequent launch respectively.<ref name="beginnings"/> Meanwhile, Paul would film the launch on a nearby tug, his motivation being to accumulate a series of maritime events.<ref name="crowd">[https://isleofdogslife.wordpress.com/2014/08/12/the-tragedy-at-the-launch-of-the-hms-albion-at-blackwall-1898/ ''Isle of Dogs Life'' summarising the surviving films of the launch, and providing quotes from newspapers blaming the crowd for the disaster.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="origins"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="salt"/> Prestwich aimed to record his from a high spot around 150 feet above the Thames, in 35 and 60 mm formats.<ref name="salt"/><ref name="origins"/><ref name="crowd"/> It is unclear regarding the location Philipp Wolff recorded their footage.<ref name="origins"/>

==The Launch and Disaster==
On 21st June 1898, the Duchess of York christened HMS Albion.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="wartime"/> It took three attempts to break the champagne bottle against the ship's bow, an ominous sign of bad luck according to some mariners.<ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="crowd"/> Despite this, HMS Albion departed and proceeded to slide down the slipway into the Thames.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="salt"/> Under normal circumstances, this was a safe and successful launch for the battleship, further demonstrating Britain's pride in its growing naval fleet as the large crowd cheered upon her launch down the slipway.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="crowd"/> Prestwich captured HMS Albion sliding into the Thames, and ceased recording following this.<ref name="bfiprestwich">[https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-launch-of-hms-albion-at-blackwall-1898-online ''British Film Institute'' summarising Prestwich's film and claiming it is the best preserved.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="salt"/>

While the ship was safe, she produced a massive wave upon entering the narrow Thames.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> The wave reached a gangway with around 200 people situated on it.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> According to eyewitnesses, the gangway was temporarily erected near a small creek.<ref name="mcgonagall"/> Made of wood, this makeshift bridge was reportedly not designed to hold the weight of so many spectators, having also become dilapidated.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="londonist"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> Police had warned people not to crowd onto the structure, with cardboard "danger" signs placed nearby.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="londonist"/> However, these warnings were ignored for many were eager to obtain a grand view of the launch.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/> Thus, when the wave struck the wooden structure, the overloaded gangway collapsed into the river.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/><ref name="londonist"/> Suddenly, at least 100 people, consisting mainly of women and children, were desperately attempting to keep their heads above water and sought urgent assistance.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="londonist"/> Not everyone initially came to their rescue, as the horns from the ships proved to be louder than the resulting cries for help.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> 

In the wake of the disaster, some people were hailed as heroes.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> Among those included workmen who valiantly dived into the Thames to rescue some women and their babies.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> 25 casualties were successfully revived, with a Mr Robinson of the St. John's Ambulance Society credited for saving four lives.<ref name="crowd"/> Boats nearby HMS Albion aided in rescue efforts, one noted to have rescue 50.<ref name="crowd"/> Meanwhile, Paul claimed that his boat saved 25 people.<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/> He elected to continue filming the ordeal, though later wrote that "no consideration of the result was allowed to interfere with the rescue".<ref name="letters"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="origins"/> In total, 24 people were awarded bronze medals by the Royal Humane Society for their rescue efforts.<ref name="mcgonagall"/> But despite their best endeavours, none were able to prevent between 34 to 39 people succumbing to drowning, in one of the Thames' worst disasters during a peacetime period.<ref name="londonist"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> The oldest victim was 64, while the youngest was only three months old.<ref name="salt"/><ref name="royalnavy"/> It is also believed several women drowned as their heavy clothing increased the difficulty of surviving the Thames' rapid currents.<ref name="crowd"/>

==Investigation and Film Controversy==
An investigation into the disaster was quick to blame two factors for the disaster: the bridge itself and the riotous crowd.<ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="crowd"/> The gangway was reportedly only designed for a few workmen to embark on, not a couple of hundred people.<ref name="mcgonagall"/> While it remains unclear precisely what triggered the bridge's collapse, the factors of a forceful wave, over-loading of the gangway, and a possible hit from debris all were likely key contributing factors.<ref name="mcgonagall"/> The investigation decided neither Thames Ironworks nor police at the event were to blame for the catastrophe.<ref name="evans">[https://www.maryevans.com/history/scene-after-the-accident-launch-of-hms-albion-at-blackwall-12348031 ''Mary Evans Picture Library'' noting the investigation primarily blamed the predominantly working-class crowd for the disaster.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> Instead, it and print media publications cited the "stupidity" of the crowd, which primarily consisted of working-class Plaistow and Canning Town residents, for failing to heed repeated warnings concerning the bridge's lack of safety and insulting police officers.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="evans"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> However, contemporary accounts believe the police and Thames Ironworks could have done more to prevent an excess of people in a small area.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> Particularly, it was revealed Thames Ironworks sold around 20,000 tickets for the event, 8,000 for wooden stages, and 12,000 across the docks. But it also instructed gatekeepers to allow a further 10,000 into the vicinity should they be "respectably dressed".<ref name="mcgonagall"/> The overcrowding probably increased the likelihood of disaster.<ref name="crowd"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/>

Elsewhere, Prestwich, Wolff, and Paul publicly showcased their films.<ref name="origins"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="catalogue"/> Wolff's footage was around 120 feet long, whereas Paul split his into two 40 feet recordings.<ref name="catalogue"/> While Prestwich and Wolff's recordings attracted little controversy, major attention was directed at Paul's.<ref name="origins"/><ref name="letters"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="mcgonagall"/> Particularly, whereas Prestwich only filmed the actual launch, Paul had also publicly distributed his footage of the disaster aftermath under the title "Disaster".<ref name="origins"/><ref name="letters"/><ref name="optilogue"/> This move received harsh criticism, with Acres quickly leading backlash against his former colleague.<ref name="origins"/><ref name="letters"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="rivals"/> Acres deemed the recording unethical and wished to "dissociate myself in the most emphatic manner possible from the producers of these photographs."<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/><ref name="optilogue"/><ref name="beginnings"/><ref name="rivals"/> He subsequently decided not to publicly release his films of the launch, while also insisting he had quickly ended recording to aid rescue efforts.<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/><ref name="bfi"/> ''The Amateur Photographer'', a noted strong supporter of Acres, praised him for promptly stopping filming following the disaster, while criticising Paul as a "less delicately-minded individual" for recording the aftermath.<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/>

Paul's decision to screen the film just 30 hours following the ordeal also attracted criticism by ''Living Pictures'' author Henry Hopwood.<ref name="optilogue"/> Premiering at the Royal Music Hall in Holborn, the audience treated the footage with dignity and remained silent yet emotional.<ref name="origins"/><ref name="letters"/> In response to the criticism, Paul wrote that he had turned his attentions away from filming to aid rescue efforts.<ref name="origins"/><ref name="letters"/><ref name="optilogue"/> He also claimed he had plans to distribute the footage across other music halls, adding that the film's proceedings would be donated to the relatives of the bereaved.<ref name="origins"/><ref name="letters"/> ''The Photogram'' was mainly neutral reporting on Paul and Acres' latest comments, though did add Paul's electric camera could remain functional without assistance from operators.<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/> It also questioned the truthfulness of Acres' claims, believing his high filming location prevented him from assisting in the rescue.<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/>

While Paul did not capture the gangway's collapse, his aftermath footage has been declared as among the earliest examples of a disaster being filmed.<ref name="salt"/><ref name="origins"/> It also triggered one of filmmaking's oldest ethical debates concerning the boundaries of film reporting.<ref>[http://www.thamesdiscovery.org/events/the-launch-of-the-hms-albion ''Thames Discovery'' noting Paul's film triggered an early debate regarding the ethics of film reporting.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="mcgonagall"/><ref name="origins"/> 

==Availability==
Of the film's produced of HMS Albion's launch, two have survived.<ref name="bfipaul">[https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-launch-of-hms-albion-1898-online ''British Film Institute'' summarising Paul's film.] Retrieved 24th Mar '23</ref><ref name="bfiprestwich"/><ref name="bfi"/><ref name="salt"/> Prestwich's footage provided a clear view of the battleship entering the Thames via the slipway, and was preserved in the National Film Archive.<ref name="beginnings"/><ref name="bfiprestwich"/><ref name="bfi"/><ref name="salt"/> Meanwhile, Paul's film was also preserved, providing a side-on view of the ship and the franticness of the rescue efforts.<ref name="bfipaul"/><ref name="bfi"/><ref name="salt"/><ref name="origins"/> Of these films, Prestwich's has been declared as the best preserved.<ref name="bfiprestwich"/> However, Acres' unreleased films have since been declared missing by the ''British Film Institute''.<ref name="bfi"/> Considering he was the official filmmaker, the christening footage has been lost to time, as well as additional footage of the launch.<ref name="beginnings"/><ref name="bfi"/>

It is unclear whether Acres captured the gangway's collapse. However, ''The Photogram'', in another contradiction of Acres' comments, stated that he had "kinetographed the whole scene".<ref name="letters"/><ref name="origins"/> It is therefore possible that the key event was captured in the 150 feet of film.<ref name="catalogue"/> Philipp Wolff's recording is by far the most obscure, though the fact ''The British Film Catalogue'' lists the 120-foot film as having been titled ''The Albion Disaster'', it is again possible that the collapse and aftermath were captured on tape.<ref name="catalogue"/> But like with Acres' recordings, this other film is lost media.

==Gallery==
===Videos===
{{Video|perrow  =3
  |service1     =youtube
  |id1          =C1VA0PM0Hv8
  |description1 =Prestwich's footage of the launch.
  |service2     =youtube
  |id2          =WtfljOmVw6g
  |description2 =Paul's footage of the launch and disaster aftermath.
  |service3     =youtube
  |id3          =Bx4rJCRbnmY
  |description3 =Remastering and colourisation of both films.
}}

==See Also==
===Maritime Media===
*[[The RMS Titanic (lost film recordings of British passenger ship; existence unconfirmed; 1912)]]

===Birt Acres and Robert W. Paul Films===
*[[A Football Match at Newcastle-on-Tyne (lost footage of football match; 1896)]]
*[[Bryant & May Matches (lost "first commercial ever made"; 1896)]]
*[[The Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Race (lost footage of rowing race; 1895)]]
*[[Yarmouth Fishing Boats Leaving Harbour (partially found early British actuality films; 1896-1897)]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Lost films]]
[[Category:Lost recordings of real incidents]]
[[Category:Partially found media]]
[[Category:Historic]]